Wake honors middle school principal

RALEIGH -- North Garner Middle School Principal John Wall was named Wake County's 2009 Principal of the Year on Thursday.

Wall has been an educator for 22 years, the past four at North Garner after having been principal of Zebulon Middle School. Wall was praised for his emphasis on goal setting, use of data toward understanding the needs of students and hands-on mentoring of students.

Wall has been credited with helping improve the image of North Garner Middle. His prizes will include a $1,000 check and a spot in the state's principal of the year competition.

Forest Pines Elementary Assistant Principal Fay Jones was named Wake's 2009 Assistant Principal of the Year. She has spent the past five years at Forest Pines, in North Raleigh, and was praised as being a problem solver.

She will receive a $500 check and other prizes.